Rachel is a young Kiwi who got distracted on her OE when passing through Vladivostok, Russia. That distraction was in the form of a pickpocket that was trying to get at Rachel’s purse – he was a homeless child.

That was back in 1997 and ever since Rachel has been working with Vladivostok’s homeless children – feeding, caring and educating them, just trying to improve their lives. In 1999 Rachel formed Living Hope – the Vladivostok Homeless Children’s Rehabilitation Society. Through Living Hope, children are fed, clothed, encouraged, educated and given the ability to see their potential. Facilities and funds are scarce. Yet Living Hope’s Day Centre, mobile soup kitchen and holiday camps are making a huge difference. More lately Living Hope has been focussed on the establishment of a 24-hour Youth Centre. www.livinghope.org.nz.

Rachel Hughes – Living Hope was last modified: March 9th, 2016 by Gareth Morgan